Appointments

How to See a Doctor at the Surgery

70% of all GP appointments can be booked up to 4 weeks in advance. Please ask the receptionist if you would like to do this.

The remaining 30% of GP appointments become available at 08:00 each day. To book these appointments please telephone on the day that you wish to be seen, as near to 08:00 as you can.

We hope that this will enable you to get an appointment with the GP of your choice. However, at times of high demand and annual leave, this may not always be possible. We shall always do our best to advise you when the GP you wish to see is next available or to offer you an alternative with another GP or nurse Practitioner.

Online Booking

Pre-bookable appointments can also be booked up to 14 days in advance (subject to availability) on-line - you need to attend the surgery and tell us you want to register for on-line booking and you will be given a unique username and password.

Walk in Surgery - at Hampton Dene Surgery Only

This is available every week day from 09:00 to 10:30. It is for patients with minor illnesses or new problems only. You do not need an appointment for this surgery; just go along and see the receptionist and she will book you in. You may see our nurse practitioner or a GP and this varies day to day

The “On Call” Doctor

One doctor is “on call” every day. This doctor will have fewer appointments that day so that he/she can deal with urgent matters and give advice.

Appointment length

Appointments with doctors and nurses are routinely 10 minutes long. If you feel you need longer please request a double appointment

Intimate Examinations

If you wish to have a chaperone present, please mention this when making your appointment.

Second Opinion

You are entitled to seek a second opinion from another GP within the practice.

Home Visits

If you are too ill to attend the surgery a doctor can see you at home. Please telephone Cantilupe Surgery (268031) before 11:00 if possible. The on-call doctor may speak to you to plan the best way of dealing with the problem .

Please remember that several patients can be seen in the practice in the time that it takes to make one home visit. There are also better facilities for examining and treating patients at the health centre.

Speaking to a Doctor on the telephone

If you feel that your problem can be dealt with over the telephone, the doctor will be happy to speak to you. Telephone either surgery and the receptionist will advise you when the doctor is likely to be available.

If your problem is medically urgent, the receptionist will be able to contact the on call doctor for advice. Please note our phone numbers are withheld when phoning out.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

Training Practice

We are a training practice which means each year the regular doctors are joined by fully qualified doctors completing their post graduate training in General Practice. The current training partners are Val Goodger, Mark Waters and Janie Wilson.

Occasionally medical students and student nurses will be sitting in with both GPs and nurses. If you are not happy for the student to be present please inform the clinician before the consultation begins.